Background Since 2010, the Adaptation Fund has committed more than USD 1.5 billion to climate change adaptation and resilience initiatives worldwide. This includes support to over 217 concrete, locally driven projects benefiting more than 50 million people across some of the most climate-vulnerable communities in developing countries. The Fund has played a pioneering role in advancing Direct Access, strengthening country ownership of adaptation finance, and operationalising innovative approaches such as Locally Led Adaptation and the Innovation Facility. The Innovation Facility, established under the Fund’s innovation pillar and approved through the first Medium-Term Strategy, provides small and large grants across three funding windows. It builds on the Fund’s comparative advantage in financing practical, on-the-ground adaptation solutions while encouraging experimentation, learning, and risk-taking. Under the Medium-Term Strategy II (2023–2027), the innovation pillar focuses on: Encouraging and accelerating new and high-impact adaptation innovations Replicating and scaling successful innovations across regions Strengthening access and capacity for innovation design and implementation Generating and sharing evidence to support learning, iteration, and adaptive management As the Adaptation Fund begins early preparations for Medium-Term Strategy III (provisionally 2027–2031), it seeks to develop an Innovation Directions document. This document will guide the Fund’s strategic positioning on innovation and inform potential integration into the forthcoming strategy. Objectives of the Assignment The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive Innovation Directions document that will guide the Adaptation Fund’s future engagement in climate adaptation innovation. Specifically, the document will: Map the global innovation and adaptation finance landscape and identify strategic positioning options for the Fund Define how the Fund can leverage its strengths and comparative advantages to finance innovation effectively Identify priority areas and emerging opportunities for innovation in climate change adaptation Provide actionable recommendations for integrating innovation into Medium-Term Strategy III Ensure alignment with global best practices, adaptation priorities, and the Fund’s overarching mission Scope of Work The consultant will be responsible for delivering the assignment through the following activities: Conduct desk-based research on global trends, practices, and gaps in adaptation innovation and finance Design and administer a stakeholder survey and conduct interviews with: Adaptation Fund staff Implementing entities and partners External experts and relevant actors in the innovation ecosystem Analyse findings to identify comparative advantages, positioning options, and strategic priorities Draft the Innovation Directions document outlining vision, mission, priorities, and strategic approaches Revise and finalise the document based on structured stakeholder feedback Approach and Methodology The consultant is expected to apply a systematic, analytical, and participatory methodology, including: Comprehensive desk research to identify global best practices and lessons in adaptation innovation Inclusive stakeholder consultations to capture diverse perspectives and expertise Development of a draft document grounded in evidence and consultation findings Iterative refinement through feedback loops with the Adaptation Fund and key stakeholders Clear articulation of the Fund’s current and potential role within the broader adaptation innovation value chain Key Deliverables The consultant will produce the following outputs: Stakeholder Viewpoints Summary A concise report synthesising survey and interview findings, key insights, challenges, and recommendations Draft Innovation Directions Document A structured draft outlining innovation priorities, strategic positioning, and proposed approaches Final Innovation Directions Document A refined and comprehensive document incorporating stakeholder and Fund feedback Required Expertise The assignment requires an individual consultant with the following qualifications: A minimum of 12 years of professional experience in climate change adaptation and innovation Demonstrated expertise in innovative financing instruments for adaptation projects Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities Proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders and synthesise complex technical and policy information Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English Timeline The consultancy will span approximately five months, from February to June 2026, with the following indicative milestones: February 2026: Assignment commencement March 2026: Submission of stakeholder viewpoints summary May 2026: Submission of draft Innovation Directions document June 2026: Submission of final Innovation Directions document Roles and Responsibilities Consultant Conduct research and stakeholder consultations Draft and finalise all deliverables within agreed timelines Maintain regular communication with the Adaptation Fund Adaptation Fund Provide strategic guidance and feedback Facilitate stakeholder engagement Ensure access to relevant documentation and resources Reporting and Communication The consultant will report to the Lead for Programming and Innovation at the Adaptation Fund. Regular progress updates will be provided through email, virtual meetings, and consultations as required to ensure alignment with expectations. Application Process Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV by 18 January 2026 to: sdobardzic@adaptation-fund.org ahollander@adaptation-fund.org Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Adaptation Fund’s mandate and work via its official website. View The Terms of Reference (TOR) For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the seeking organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.